I need some mentors - guidance on a project that will be my first venture with PHP. Especially to suggest resources to learn how to do each piece of the project.
Background:
I have a specific personal project and need an interactive website with a database. First question was - which language is "best" to use (i.e. learning curve, works with a database, it doesn't need to be complex)? PHP seems to have an edge over the others (at least in my opinion from what I've read).
Project:
I have run an NFL football pool for many years. It started with players circling their picks on a sheet of paper, submitting it to me and I entered their picks on a spreadsheet, posting results (on the spreadsheet), etc. The pool has grown over the years. Now players get a spreadsheet with the season's schedule to enter their weekly picks, copy/paste picks into an email, send email to me. I copy/paste their picks, massage the data - email clients and tabs issue - and copy/paste the massaged data into the master spreadsheet. Everything at my end is on a spreadsheet, a sheet with everyone's weekly picks, results, season summary, winnings and a few others.
This season I want to enhance 2 parts:
#1 Online picking (eliminating the Weekly Picks Spreadsheet and submitting via email).
.....I download the database with their picks, import or copy/paste into the spreadsheets, etc.
#2 Player Profile & Preferences - online, edited by the player, of course.
Where do I begin? I'm guessing #2 would be the first task to build to get my feet wet.
If it is #2, then here are some of the design specs:
1. User login and password.
For simplicity and expediency the players send me an email with a requested ID & Password. I create their record and send them a reply with the URL address for logging in.
2. Entering and editing the User Profile & Preferences. Profile info - like hometown, address and phone#. Preferences - like 1 or 2 email addresses, whether they want Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday emails reminding them to submit their picks.
I'm ready to begin learning PHP. And I have a great motivation to learn having a specific project in mind, with a deadline! (Ready to go in August).
I do have an account with Lunarpages.com.
Where do you suggest I begin my training?
My First Time With PHP - Looking For Guidance
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- Christopher
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Re: My First Time With PHP - Looking For Guidance
You might want to check freshmeat.net or elsewhere for and existing sports pool application that you could modify. You can learn from that, but be up and running. If you need more then develop your own solution.
(#10850)
Re: My First Time With PHP - Looking For Guidance
Thanks for the lead. Appreciate it. I will check it out this weekend. Existing code should be good. There are only so many ways to pick sports ... it's either or.